The spec house so far...

Time for building.

Time for a "spec" house....

now we just have to hope that someone thinks it's

time to buy!

Here is a better look at the house.

It will be a nice tidy home;

2 bedrooms on the main floor with an open kitchen/eating area and l

iving room, 2 bathrooms.

The basement will be unfinished unless the customer would like it finished.

(It will be roughly designed to accommodate two bedrooms, a bath and a family room.)

The back of the home looks into these trees. I think it will be very nice.

I liked the way the sun shone through the house...

Top Ten...

I am still getting my money's worth on the purchase, in 2003, of this cute activity mat.

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MIss M is one month

Precious little Mattea was one month old yesterday!

Along with her family, she came to Grandpa and Grandma's for an overnight visit.

Just in time for me to take more pictures!

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Josiah was trying to count the picture of our grandchildren.

The only thing is, that picture was when we only had 8....

Now we're up to double-digits!

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Mattea was a bit young to really enjoy the activity mat, but it is now a pre-requisite for our grandchildren to all be photographed laying on it!

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The "Big Boys" playing....
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Always ready to offer a smile for the camera.
The girl ought to go into modeling, she loves the camera and loves fashion...
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Our newest three year old hamming it up for the camera.
All boy.
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Ready for the long ride home.
Can't wait for my next picture opportunity!
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Happy Birthday Josiah!

We have a 3 year old!

Josiah is THREE today!

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Last night he had a birthday party with a motorcycle theme at the home of his other grandparents. We were fortunate to be close enough to attend his party!

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Everyone (well, almost everyone) wore their bandana's for the picture.
Josiah's little cousin (Emily's son) is pretty interested in Hannah's bandana...
Sean wasn't interested in wearing one AT ALL. In case you couldn't tell....
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Happy Birthday Josiah!

Busy day with the grands

Today we had some GRAND company. Grandchildren, in fact.

9 of the 10.

These two youngest have lots of fun together in the future, but right now sweet Mattea was not too sure about her older cousin.

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Ah, how sweet to hold....

8 for lunch.
We need a bigger table.
We need a bigger kitchen.
Who downsizes at this stage of life?
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The oldest two grandchildren were helping me with the sweet rolls.
They were spreading the brown sugar/cinnamon on the dough.
They also helped eat them!
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The four grand-daughters.
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Moraine Lake

We have been fortunate to visit Banff and Lake Louise (Alberta, Canada) a number of times.

If you have never visited that area, you would be well-served to do so!

It is spectacular.

Last week we visited beautiful Moraine Lake, which is near Lake Louise. There is a road that one drives up to Moraine Lake and it is often closed for the winter in early October - and we have often visited Banff/Lake Louise in mid-October after the crowds subside and we, therefore, have been unable to drive up to Moraine Lake.

Not so this time!

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Moraine lake is fed by glaciers and has this beautiful color to it.

It is not a large lake, but worth the view!

Makes a person want to plan a trip, eh?
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Ardy's Garden

Here's my favorite picture from Ardy's backyard.

She has gorgeous flowers all over. This was just beautiful with the setting sun providing perfect light.

Rhonda day

I am enjoying a week in Calgary with my husband's wonderful family. Four of the five brothers are here right now and his sister as well. Also spouses, nieces and nephews. Oh, we've been having fun, as the men are all involved in a renovation project for one brother and his wife.

Today, however, I left the renovation work to enjoy the day with my niece Rhonda and my sister-in-law Judy. Rhonda wanted to bake some artisan bread with me, so we set out to do just that. First was a tasty lunch by Rhonda though!

It was as good as it looks! Sushi, salad, great bread, a fava bean salad... and a fine smoothie!

So here we are with my favorite cookbook!


Rhonda is learning how to grab that dough and shape it into a nice little loaf.

The first loaf was a portuguese corn bread and the one to soon be baked is a basic boule loaf.
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We can't wait to taste them!

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We are also trying our hand at pretzels.

It's always fun to learn something new!

Car ride

My view forward...

my view to the right....

Vacation time

And we're off.... to the land of hubby's birth........

Happy Birthday Sara

Happy Birthday today to our dear daughter-in-law Sara!

You are precious to us and we are thankful God has brought you into our family!

Cousins

Here are two four year old cousins.

They are enjoying the afternoon together.

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I never had a single cousin and think I have missed something special.

Little Miss Sparkle

We have a visitor at our home.

I think Little Miss Sparkle is a good name, don't you?

She was very happy to pose for some pictures in her sweet little blue dress too!

Girls are SO different from little boys.
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When she got here she unpacked all her little outfits, told me which shirts went with which pants, etc., and folded everything carefully and placed them into the empty dresser draw that was ready for her clothes.

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She remarked on many of her outfits, telling me how "cute" this or that outfit was....
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Funny, I just don't remember my sons doing this....

Has anyone seen.....

You may know that I love family history/genealogy.

Most families have some interesting little stories here and there (sometimes referred to as skeletons in their closets.... as in things not so nice to have in one's family)...

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I was often asked by school teachers "are you related to Judge Crater?" and I said no, because I did not know at the time that he was my 4th cousin, twice removed!

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He has been missing for 80 years.

There is a phrase "pulling a Crater" because of this notorious disappearance;

also people used to joke "Judge Crater, call your office" ....

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The mystery continues to this day.

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I need to go back and tell those teachers YES, I'm related to him!

Happy Birthday to my baby bro...

Happy Birthday to my youngest brother; born when I was 16.

My mom was 47.

I often wondered if people thought he was my son.

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I should be so lucky.

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Happy Birthday brother!

May your day be as special as you!

A special day for Mattea

Today Mattea Kate was brought to the Lord in baptism.

Her very pleased father was the Pastor as well!

Pastor Adam baptizes his precious daughter.

Mattea's godparents and their two sons,
along with Adam and Andrea and their family of
five children!


Proud older brother Timothy holding his little sister.

Mattea's necklace from Grandpa and Grandma Seibel

and the bracelet made by Grandma Berge.

The little bonnet was made from an old handkerchief from Grandma Berge's family.
(It was my great great Aunt Anna Herlich's hanky..)

Her fancy shoes.

What's a girl to do without good shoes!!